One of my goals is to make film more accessible to those who want to shoot on the format. Below are some frequently asked questions that should provide general insight.
I can provide project specific information once hired on.
*Check out my 16mm playlist on YouTube for more helpful information about film
What does it cost to shoot on film?
3 factors determine the total expense: Raw Film Stock, Processing, and Scanning.
Each category has options that will affect costs.
On average, a 400ft roll of 16mm color negative film processed and scanned at 4k resolution costs about $450 in total.
For a more in depth explanation, check out
*Due to partnership with a local lab, I can offer a discounted price on scanning for projects I shoot.
how much film do I need?
A 400ft roll of 16mm film shot at 24fps equals about 11 minutes of footage. How much film you need depends on the project shooting ratio.
A simple music video with no dialog will shoot at a much lower ratio than a narrative with multiple characters, complex blocking, and speaking scenes.
At minimum, I recommend a shooting ratio of no less than 3:1. Multiply your script pages by your desired shooting ratio to get the total running time, which you can use to estimate how many rolls of film you need.
Where Do I Purchase Film?
Kodak is the primary manufacturer of all motion picture film stocks today. They have locations to choose from for pickup, as well as online order forms to have film shipped to you.
https://www.kodak.com/en/motion/page/order-film
Apart from Kodak, I have purchased film through the non-profit organization, Mono No Aware with good success.
They ship quickly, don't charge sales tax, and keep a great variety of film in stock.
What happens after the film is shot?
Film should promptly be sent to a lab for development after it's been exposed.
To keep things streamlined and affordable, I handle the post distribution process for a small inclusive fee.
After being developed, the film is ready for scanning. This can usually be done through the lab that processed the film or through a standalone scanning service.
For high quality and incredibly priced scans, I send film to The Negative Space. I've never been disappointed with their service.
HOW DO I WORK WITH FILM SCANS?
Once you receive your film scans back (typically on a hard drive) the footage can be easily integrated into a digital workflow.
Save for a few steps like splitting clips, syncing audio, and utilizing film specific LUTS, it is identical to editing digital footage.
How long does it take to get film back?
Anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on where film is dropped off/shipped and sent for scanning.
With my current workflow, I can send film out on Monday and receive final 4k scans on a hard drive by Friday.
DO you travel?
I am based in Colorado, but available for travel anywhere in the US and have a valid passport for travel abroad.